Portable mast



` D. R. MOORE 2,847,097

PORTABLE: MAST 3 Sheets-Sheet l mm Q PQXN :m m m A Q A o o m m ww.. em ya@ .Nw @L E M Ww .N...,.m h Y QW NM wm HE Nm {lijp/I... o o m| n /l I! ull.- C Q Q f v Nm HT www www ,J/f l l f/UM/ H mE Aug. 12, 1958 Filed May 21, 1953 Aug. 1'2, 1958 D. R. MOORE A 2,347,097

PORTABLE MAST Filed may 21, 1953 v s sheetssheet 2 hwenzfwf': Din/5y ,Q M0025,

A118 12, 1958 D. R. MOORE 2,847,097

PORTABLE MAST Filed May 21. 1955 3 sheets-sheet s /f /ZQJ F|E-5- XE ff y MMM/704% '72,847,097 Patented Aug. l2, 1958 ice 2,841,091 PORTABLE MAST Dewey R. Moore, Garland, Tex., assignor to United States Steel Corporation, a corporation of New .lersey Application May 21, 1953, Serial No. 356,350

9 Claims. (Cl. 1891'1) This invention relates to portable masts and substructures for use in drilling wells.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved mast and a cooperating substructure which can be easily transported, erected and dismantled and yet are of simp1i` ed construction.

A further object is to provide a portable mast which is vertical and does not lean when erected, and which permits an unobstructed view of the drilling equipment from the drillers station.

A further object is to provide a portable mast and gin pole combination in which the mast and gin pole are independently movable, so that the gin pole can occupy a prone position where it is out of the way both when the mast is erected and when it dismantled.

A further object is to provide a portable mast and substructure combination in which the lower sections of the mast and the gin poles are independently pivoted to the substructure sections and remain connected thereto when the mast is dismantled and yet are fully out of the way.

A further object is to provide a portable mast and substructure combination in which each substructure section affords space for packaging the sections of a mast leg and a gin pole within its confines when the structure is dismantled.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided improved details of structure, a preferred form of which is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of my mast and substructure with the mast assembled and prone;

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view on a larger scale on line II-ll of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a side elevational View of my mast and substructure with the mast erected;

Figure 4 is an end elevational view with the mast erected;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view on a larger scale of the substructure;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view on a still larger scale on line Vl-VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a side elevational view on a scale similar to Figure 6 showing the means by which the extremity of the gin pole is held down to the base; and

Figure 8 is a side elevational view showing one substructure section and mast leg disassembled and packaged.

Figures 3 and 4 show an erected mast 10a, 10b, 'a cooperating substructure 12 and a pair of gin poles 13a and 13b constructed and arranged in accordance with my invention. The mast is formed of two upwardly converging legs a and 10b lof identical construction. The space between said legs is open as indicated at 14. The substructure 12 is formed of two outside sections 12a and 12b and a plurality of transverse upper and lower spacers 15 and 16 extending between and connecting said sections. The two sections are of the opposite ,hand but otherwise alike. A hoist 17 of any standard or desired construction s removably mounted on the substructure rearwardly of the mast (to the left as viewed in Figures l and 3).

Each substructure section 12a and 12b is formed of metal structural members joined together to form a rigid framework (Figures 5 and 6). Each includes a base portion which is formed of a pair of longitudinal members 1S and a plurality of transverse members 19 illustrated as seven in number. Each substructure section furtherv includes a plurality of intermediate uprights 20 and inner uprights 21 corresponding with'its transverse members 19. A pair of upper longitudinal members 22 are fixed to the upper ends of the uprights, and a plurality of upper transverse members 23 extend between the latter longitudinal members. Preferably each substructure section also includes suitable diagonal bracing. The base portion of each substructure section extends horizontally outward from the intermediate uprights 20 and forms a ledge 24. A plurality of transversely aligned brackets 25 are lixed to each section intermediate its length on these ledges. These brackets carry transverse shafts 26. The raised inner portions of the substructure sections on which the hoist 1'7 rests are of suiicient height to alord space for equipment such as blow out preventers commonly located between the floor of the substructure and the ground beneath.

Each mast leg 10a and 10b includes detachable upper, lower, and intermediate sections 30, 31 and 32 joined end-to-end. The individual sections are formed of metal structural members, preferably tubular, rigidly joined by tie plates 33. The intermediate section carries end plates 34 at each end. The upper section carries an end plate 35 at its lower end detachably joined to the upper end plate 34 of the intermediate section. The lower section carries an end plate 35a at its upper end detachably joined to the lower end plate 34 of the intermediate section. At its lower end the lower section 31 carries a fitting 36 pivotally mounted on one of the shafts 26 of a substructure section 12a `or 12b. At its' upper end the upper section 3i) carries a fitting 37 detachably joined to one side of a crown block 38 of any standard or desired construction. A pipe racking platform 39 is detachably and hingedly joined across the lower portion of the upper sections 3l) of the two mast legs. Guy lines 4t) extend from the extremity of the platform to points higher on the mast.

When the mast is erect, the gin poles 13a and 13b are prone and rest on the ledges 24 of the substructure sections. As best shown in Figures l, 2 and 3, each gin pole is formed of metal structural members, preferably tubular, rigidly iixed together. At their lower ends the gin poles include fittings 4l which are pivoted to the respective substructure sections independently of the lower sections 3l of the mast legs. Conveniently each gin pole cany have two such fittings All which can be mounted on the same shafts 26 that carry the ttings 36 astride these latter fittings. Spacer sleeves 42 and intermediate brackets 25 can be interposed on said shaft between the various fittings. Nevertheless, it is apparent that a structure equivalent in many respects would be attained with the gin poles mounted on separate pivots. In the structure illustrated the shafts 26 are located forwardly of the longitudinal center of the substructure (to the right as viewed in Figures l and 3). In their prone position the gin poles extend rearwardly of their mountings, and they are of a length that they lie within the confines of the rearward portion of the respective substructure sections. i

Guy lines 44 extend from the top of the upper section 30 of each mast leg 10a and 10b to fittings at the front end of the corresponding substructure section 12a and ,12b the right as viewed in Figures 3 and 4). Another set of guy lines 45 extend from the top of each intermediate section 32 to additional fittings at the same end of the substructure sections. Sling lines 46 extend from the top of each upper section 30 to the extremity of the corresponding gin pole 13a or 13b. Another set of sling lines 47 extend from the top of each intermediate section 52 to the extremity of the gin pole. Hold-down means are provided for fixing the sling lines 46 and 47 with respect to the substructure so that the lines 44, 45, 46 and 47 cooperate to hold the mast erect. As best shown in Figure 7, the hold-down illustrated includes turnbuckles and hooks 48 carried by the substructure sections and engageable with the extremities of the gin poles. All the lines 44, 45, 46 and 47 are detachable to enable the mast to be dismantled.

The lower section 31 of each mast leg is the shortest of the three sections. When the mast is dismantled, this section pivots downwardly clockwise as viewed Ain Figures 1 and 8, and lies along the ledge 24 forwardly of the shaft 26 within the confines of the front portion of the substructure section. After detachment of the sling lines 46 and 47, the independently pivoted gin poles 13a and 13b of the dismantled mast pivot downwardly counterclockwise to the same prone position they occupy when the mast is erect; that is they lie along their ledge 24 rearwardly of the shaft 26 within the contines of the rear portion of the substructure section. Thus the lower mast sections and the gin poles are fully out of the way and yet they remain connected to the substructure sections for easy assembly. As best shown in Figure 8, the upper and intermediate sections 30 and 32 of the mast legs are of approximately the same length as the substructure sections 12a and 12b. The upper and intermediate sections of each leg of the dismantled mast can be placed over the prone lower section and gin pole of that leg on the ledge 24. Their cross-sectional dimensions are such that they too can nest within the connes of the substructure. Thus each substructure section and the mast leg and gin pole which are associated therewith form a compact package.

When the dismantled mast is to be erected, the two substructure sections 12a and l2b first are positioned in properly spaced relation with their shafts 26 aligned and the common axis thereof extending across the intended diameter of the well hole. The spacers and 16 are connected between these two sections and the hoist 17 is installed. Next the intermediate mast sections 32 are attached to the prone lower sections 31, and the upper sections are attached to the intermediate sections. The crown block 38 is connected across the tops of the two upper sections. The pipe racking platform 39 and its guy lines 4t! are installed. The gin poles 13a and 13b are raised from their prone to their vertical positions independently of any movement of the mast. The guy lines 44 and 45 and the sling lines 46 and 47 are installed. The guy lines of course remain slack as long as the mast is prone.

A traveling block of any standard or desired construction is laid on the ground in the space 14 between the two mast legs 10a and 19h just forward of the assembled substructure. A drilling line 51 is installed in the usual way, i. e., wrapped around the drum of the hoist 17, reeved around the sheaves of the crown and traveling blocks 38 and 50 and dead ended to the substructure forward of the foot of the mast. A yoke 52 is connected to the becket of the traveling block. Two fixed length lines 53a and 53b are connected to said yoke. The line 53a extends over a guide pulley 54 on the forward part of the substructure section 12a, around a pulley 55 at the rearward extremity of this substructure section, around a pulley 56 mounted at the extremity of the gin pole 13a, and back to the rearward end of the substructure, where it is dead ended. Conveniently the various lines are attached to the gin poles before the latter are raised. The pulley 54 is mounted in a tting 57 which is pivoted to a bracket 58 xed to the inner face of one of the inner uprights 2l of the substructure section. The tting 57 turns on a horizontal axis as the mast is raised. The line 5317 is reeved in the same manner, but around pulleys on the substructure section l2!) and gin pole 13b.

To raise the assembled prone mast, the hoist 17 is operated to take up the drilling line 51. This action raises the traveling block 50 relative to the mast and thus pulls up on the fixed length lines 53a and 53h, and pivots the gin poles 13a and 13b downwardly about the shaft 26 or counterclockwise as viewed in Figure l. The sling lines 46 and 47 are tensioned and pull up on the mast 1G, so that the mast pivots upwardly as the gin poles pivot downwardly. The mast is raised until its center line is in a true vertical position and the gin poles again are prone and out of the way. The ends of the gin poles then are tied down to the substructure with the hooks 43 (Figure 7). As the mast is being raised, the slack in the guy lines 44 and 45 is gradually taken up and they arc made taut when the mast reaches its final position. The reverse of this procedure is followed in dismantling the mast.

From the foregoing description it is seen that thc mast and substructure of the present invention are of simple construction and easily erected or dismantled. The parts form a compact package for easy transportation when dismantled. Since the mast is truly vertical when erected and located directly over the well hole, the distribution of forces is more uniform. The open space i4 between the mast legs aords the driller an unobstructed view of all equipment used in drilling.

While I have shown and described only a single embodiment of the invention, it is apparent that modifications may arise. Therefore, l do not wish to be limited to the disclosure set forth but only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. ln combination, a substructure, a two-legged mast pivoted at its lower end to said substructure and including a plurality of sections joined end-to-end, a gin pole pivoted at its lower end to said substructure independently of said mast and adapted to extend along said substructure rearwardly of its pivot in a prone position both when the mast is erected and when it is dismantled, guy lines connected between the upper portion of said mast legs and the front portion of said substructure, detachable sling lines connected between the upper portion of said mast legs and the outer extremity of said gin pole for transmitting a lifting force from said gin pole to said mast during the erection process, and releasable hold-down means fixing said sling lines with respect to said substructure when the mast is erected, said guy lines. sling lines and hold-down means cooperating to hold the erected mast from turning downwardly in either direction about its pivot.

2. A combination as dened in claim l in which said gin pole is of a length to lie between its pivot and the rear end of said substructure, and said mast includes a lower section of a length to lie between its pivot and the front end of said substructure.

3. A combination as defined in claim 2 in which said mast also includes upper and intermediate sections of approximately the same length as said substructure.

4. In combination, a substructure which includes a pair of transversely spaced sections each having a horizontal ledge at its outer base portion, a two-legged mast which includes a pair of upwardly converging legs pivoted at their lower ends to the respective substructure sections on the ledges thereof intermediate the length of the latter, a pair of gin poles each of which is pivoted to a diiferent one of the substructure ledges intermediate the length of the latter independently of said mast legs and adapted to extend along its respective ledge rearwardly of its pivot in a prone position both when the mast is erected and when it is dismantled, guy lines the length of the latter independently of said mast legs and the front portion of said substructure sections, detachable sling lines connected between the upper portion of said mast legs and the outer extremities of said gin poles for transmitting a lifting force from said gin pole to said mast legs during the erection process, and releasable hold-down means fixing said sling lines with respect to the rearward portion of said substructure sections when the mast is erected, said guy lines, sling lines and hold-down means cooperating to hold the erected mast from turning downwardly in either direction about its pivot, said mast legs being formed of sections detachably joined end-to-end.

5. A combination as dened in claim 4 in which each of said gin poles is of a length to lie between its pivot and the rear end of the substructure section, and said mast legs each have a lower section of a length to lie between its pivot and the front end of the substructure section.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5 in which said mast legs each also include upper and intermediate sections of approximately the same length as said substructure adapted to lie on the respective substructure ledges over said gin pole and lower section when the mast is dismantled.

7. A combination as dened in claim 4 in which said gin poles and said mast legs pivot on a common axison each of said 'substructure sections.

8. A combination as defined in claim 4 in which the center line of said mast occupies a truly vertical position when the mast is erected and the space between said mast legs is open.

9. In combination, a substructure which includes a pair of transversely spaced sections each having a horizontal ledge at its louter base portion and a transverse shaft extending across said ledge intermediate the length of the latter, a two-legged mast which includes a pair of upwardly converging legs pivoted at their lower ends 6 I to the respective shafts, a pair of gin poles each of which is pivoted to a different one of. said shafts independently of said mast legs and adapted to extend along the respective ledges rearwardly of the shafts in a prone position both when the mast is erected and when it is dismantled, guy lines connected between the upper portion of said mast legs and the front portion of said substructure sections, detachable sling lines connected between the upper portion of said mast legs and the outer extremities of said gin poles for transmitting a lifting force from said gin pole to said mast legs during the erection process, and releasable hold-down means xing the extremities of said gin poles to the rearward portions of said substructure sections when the mast is erected, said guy lines, sling lines and hold-down means cooperating to hold the erected mast from turning downwardly in either direction about its pivot, said mast legs being formed of sections detachably joined end-to-end, the lowermost of said leg sections being adapted to extend along the respective ledges forwardly of the shafts in a prone position when the mast is dismantled, the other leg sections being adapted to lie on the respective substructure ledges over the gin pole and lowermost leg sections when the mast is dismantled.

References Cited in the lileA of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,268,796 Brauer Ian. 6, 1942 2,345,253 Funk Mar. 28, 1944 2,364,851 Johansen Dec. l2, 1944 2,405,794 Loomis Aug. 13, 1946 2,412,678 Goldman Dec. 17, 1946 2,413,149 McCarthy et al. Dec. 24, 1946 2,472,359 Woolslayer et al. June 7, 1949 2,542,176 Bender Feb. 20, 1951 2,577,642 Woolslayer et al. Dec.,4, 1951 2,781,108 Selberg et al. Feb. 12, 19,57

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE CERTIFICATE 0F CGRRECTION Patent No. 125847,09? August l2, 1958 Dewey Rf, Moore It is hereb5T certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Lettere Patent should read as corrected below.

' olumrl5-lire 29, 'after"'"it"insert me* is efe; column 5y line l, Strike' out "the length of the latter independently" and insert instead connected between 'the' upper portion ef.

ISigned and sealed this 21st day of October 1958 SEAL) tteSt:

KARL Hh. A-SXLINE Attesting Officer ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents 

